MyDefence
A design system that delivered strength in unity.
Over 180,000 people across the globe demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to serving and protecting the United Kingdom by working for our defence services. Regardless of rank or role, The Ministry of Defence (MoD,) truly understands how vital each individual is to maintain a safe and prosperous nation.
In return, one of the MoD’s priorities is to address and improve the satisfaction, lived experience and retention of its serving personnel. These individuals rely on digital tools to access information, complete tasks and manage their careers. But frustration was clear: in an increasingly digital world, the MoD’s systems were not delivering the kind of engaging, intuitive experiences people now expect from the apps and websites they use every day.
The Ministry needed a new digital identity and experience that would sit seamlessly amongst their digital lives. It had to come from the heart of the MoD and live in the palms of its people’s hands. And it had to work for all, regardless of rank, role or service.
In response, we developed a new design system for MyDefence - a set of building blocks and guidelines for creating digital tools that are not only secure and consistent, but also engaging, flexible, and easy to use.
We embarked on deep user research, embedded user-centred thinking and drew on our insights to ensure the experience would not only meet the real needs of personnel but also support the long-term planning and implementation of digital capabilities.
Through this process, our priorities became clear. It needed to look, feel, and sound ‘MoD’. For everyone. No matter were in the world they are. We elevated the MoD’s distinct identity by applying our expertise in modern digital experiences.
Our deep understanding of user centred design helped us to craft a define system that would elevate the MyDefence application and gave it the native mobile feel its users craved. All wrapped up in the MoDs signature brand identity, accessibility standards and strict security compliance. We went further, creating the code bases to enable dynamic models and support richer media types for more engaging content delivery.
We secured buy-in for the MyDefence design system as the foundation for future MoD digital products. Our approach bridged the gap between the MoD’s need for reliability and the expectations of its people for modern, user-friendly digital experiences. Our work acts as an intuitive digital foundation for all future MoD applications, meaning better, more consistent digital products can be deployed at pace.
The outcome? We’ve demonstrated the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach and the value of a tailored system, as united as the force it serves.